The park at Phil-Am Village (PVHA Park to some) is wonderful. Why? Let us count the ways…read more 1. Lots of trees means lots of shade so you can actually lay a banig, rest under trees and enjoy the breeze. 2. There's a jogging patch along the perimeter of the park. Then there's one inside as well, which the trees hover upon so the path is quite shaded. 3. Aside from the jogging path, there are also benches under the trees where those who don't have their banigs can rest. 4. Free massage! The baranggay of Pamplona Dos gives free reflexology training and the dedicated are for the masseuse to put these skills to practice and gain customers is at the PVHA Park. 5. There's a well-maintained children's playground with the standards like swing sets, a slide, see-saw, monkey bars and more. 6. The full-sized basketball court at the PVHA Park is of such good quality that it is even rented by companies for their sportsfests. 7. There's also a tennis court which the PVHA Tennis Club calls home. 8. An open area serves as a small soccer field where villagers and non-villagers play in the afternoons. 9. Another structure serves as a badminton and volleyball court, plus a venue for zumba classes at least twice a week. 10. Every Sunday, there are several food stalls selling an assortment of snacks and other delicacies for villagers and church-goers alike. Would I dare say it's the best park in our area? Why not visit then you be the judge.

Whenever my friend, Mica, and I get bored of the Belvedere Park, we end up in Merville's…read moreContinental Park. This park is more secluded and there are fewer cars that pass by this place. It's also a great place to just hang out and talk because the airplanes don't really pass overhead. Yes, the noise of the airplanes can be heard but not as bad or as loud as the sound you'll hear when you visit the Belvedere Park. When the airplanes pass, you don't have to stop telling your story to your friend. During the rainy months when Mica and I visit the park, we end up here because there's a little gazebo that has a roof. There are no tables or chairs, so we just sit around on the floor and have a little picnic. At night, children don't really visit the park. There are times when people come to play basketball or practice some dance they need to perfect. Another thing, you can smoke in this park and they won't tell you to stop. Bad for your lungs. But, oh well.

The place is just an hour and half away from manila. You just neeed to take the South Express way,…read moreexit on Santa Rosa tollway, keep right as you exit turn right, then follow the National Road going to Tagaytay. After Vista Mall, you will see Nuvali on your left. What I like about Nuvali is that, even though it is an hour away, the environment is completely different from Manila. Apart from the malls and outlet stores, there are so many activities you and your family can enjoy while in Nuvali. You can bring your bike and ride their trails. You can jog with your family and have a picnic. Seda Hotel is also nearby so you and your family can stay over for a weekend gateaway from the hustle of the city. Right beside Nuvali is another mall called Solenad. Just walk over there and there's more to see and do especially during weekends. A day or two is good enough if you want to explore that area. Also, there is a huge pond beside the restaurants where you can sit, relax, and people watch. If you are with your kids, buy some fish food and see hundreds pack together when you feed them!

A few years back, my cousins and I decided to go on a road trip to Tagaytay on a weekend. Nuvali,…read morethen newly opened, was part of the itinerary. Since we left very early in the morning, we arrived there around the opening time. We had many other places to visit but we stayed in Nuvali for an hour or two. After having light snacks, we tried some lake activities - riding a boat and feeding fish in the pond. The school of fish in the pond were amusing to watch. Like a mob, they huddled in the area where fish feeds fall. The victor would then open its mouth - yes, you could actually see their mouths open - and eat the prize. But, the more exciting one of the two activities was riding the boats. Since it was very early in the morning, the wind was cool and fresh; I enjoyed how the wind touched my face as the boat transported us from one end to the next. After one roundtrip, we left Nuvali for we had to visit other places too. Our stay was only short but it was definitely fun.

My college barkada introduced me to the brilliant idea of renting a beach house in Tali and staying…read morethere for the weekend. We would usually scour the internet for great houses that are rented out by the owners, and then we would leave on Saturday morning and head out to Nasugbu. What's great about these places is that they are fully-furnished, and some of them have great stuff, too! I have gone on such weekend trips to Tali exactly six times, and every time, my friends and I have rented a different villa. You know, just to keep things fun and exciting. We have stayed in really creepy and haunted places, and we have also stayed in really awesome, very well-maintained houses. I just love how we don't have to bring anything anymore, since most of the beach houses are fully equipped with great stuff that you can use for cooking. I love preparing food for my friends because I hate seeing them endlessly bingeing on crap food like chips and stale pizza, so we always pool our money, stop by a supermarket in Tagaytay and then shop for an entire weekend's worth of food and groceries. The villas in Tali are usually fitted with nice stoves and a fully-equipped kitchens, so preparing meals in a jiffy is such a breeze. You don't have to worry about food going bad either, since there is usually a fridge where you can keep stuff fresh. Most of the time, though, the best beachhouses are actually still a couple blocks away from the shore, so you would really have to walk or drive just to enjoy the beach. Moreover, there isn't really much of a "beach" to enjoy, because the shoreline is actually pretty short, just a small cove that is partially sheltered by the surrounding bay. It is also advisable to make sure that you have all your supplies and sundries before you even go inside the gated community, because going out for groceries is such a hassle. There isn't any well-stocked store for miles. This is a pretty nice place to just hang out with friends. If you don't have snazzy memberships in nearby Punta Fuego or Pico de Loro (Hamilo Coast), this is not too bad an option if you just want an idyllic weekend getaway.

Tali is a popular seaside resort community in Nasugbu, Batangas, about 2-3 hours away from Manila,…read morejust a short distance from Tagaytay. The place is a private subdivision so you need to have a homeowner with you or at least advisement from wherever you're staying. It's not totally private though! You can go online and just look for beach house accommodations, since many of the residents there already put up their own houses as B&Bs or inns for those who want to go to Tali Beach. It's a really nice place, like how you'd wish it would be if there were beach cities in Manila, hahah. Not overly developed either so it's pretty peaceful. Here, you have a whole village full of summer houses and instead of the regular playgrounds or village parks, they have a beach! However, the beach here isn't exactly fit for swimming. It's rather small, rocky, and full of corals. There's no long, wide stretch of sand where you can lie down and sleep or sunbathe. But they do have gazebos and small open spaces to hang out in with the water splashing about beside you. If you wanna go swimming, better go back to your accommodation. This is why most houses there have swimming pools already. People like to do water sports around there though, so don't be surprised to see boats and jet skis in the houses inside the village. It's also normal to spot people just casually kayaking and standup paddle boarding all around. There aren't really any organized water sports services, you just do it on your own. Of course, there's also the popular Tali cliff jump you have to try at least once! They have great, clear blue waters that you can dive safely into and then you just climb back up easily through the big polished rock boulder beside the cliff area. Just be careful not to touch the sharp rocks/corals by the side of the boulder! Only grab the ropes by the ladder area.

I was actually confused on how I would categorize this part of my village park. The truth is that…read morethis facility of the park is just a covered court and is used for a wide array of different activities. When it was first made, this court was actually meant to be a volleyball court or a badminton court. It could be used by the village residents absolutely free of charge. There were times when my mother and I would spend our afternoons playing badminton here. Those were the good old days. Anyway, things have changed since then. Nowadays the net isn't there anymore. Im not sure what happened to it, but with the net gone people don't play volleyball or badminton there anymore. However, during the morning I noticed that the court is used for Zumba. There are moms, lolas, and titas there who all dance to the beat in order to lose weight. I have no idea if its free or open to anyone though.

The all new improved CDC Playground just got a major make over and it is now open for the public…read more Yup! It is free and the place is great!. There are two sets of swings, two seesaws, and two (big and small) slides. This will definitely be a treat for the kids. There is a medium size fountain with nine water spouts. My daughter and I had the chance to see it work along with other (I think five more) mini fountains. Got to appreciate the rubber flooring on the slides and attention to details on the project. The previous park was more of a settling for a horror flick and people rarely visit the place especially because the slide has a strong static shock. But this new one is miles apart from the old version. There is ample space for vehicles to park and concrete tables and benches are readily available. There is also a designated security guard manning the place plus a janitor roaming the playground to clean it. The newly renovated restrooms are also clean and stench-free. There is good amount of water coming out of the faucet, urinals, and toilets. I must admit that I am really impressed with this new development. NOTE: In case you would want to just unwind and have a little chitchat while the kids play or there is someone to take good care of them while you want to he your "ME" time, stay at the patio on the North end of the playground. People rarely go there. The singular fountain, winding pathway, and landscaping are most ideal for some friendly conversation with someone dear, or a haven for reading a good book while enjoying what nature and CDC has to offer.

As a San Pableño, i sometimes spend time in Sampaloc Lake. It's a great place to jog! Many people…read moregoes jogging in there and you can even rent an e-bike, a bike and other things you can rent! There's many food stands and places you can explore near Sampaloc Lake. The greatest thing is there isn't any fee, the fee you need is just for the amazing delicacies and vehicles you can ride.

Sampaloc Lake is a great place to spend an afternoon in San Pablo City. At the park entrance there…read moreare many restos and sari-sari stands serving packaged and barbecued snacks. The lake is entirely encircled by a 3.7km multi-use two lane road which is great for walking, jogging, or renting a bike. As you walk the circle you'll encounter homes, locals playing basketball and going about their daily business, dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, and roosters. The path is near the water so you'll also enjoy great views of the lake, tilapia farms, Mt Banahao, and San Pablo Cathedral. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to complete the loop.

La Mesa Eco Park has been on my activity list for quite awhile and I've finally decided to go with…read moreMr. V for a Sunday outing. We were really excited to go there (although the drive is a little far from Makati) after reading quite a few reviews. We were looking forward to doing some outdoor activities on a beautiful summer day. The Park is smaller than expected but I must say the flora is beautiful. But what a disappointment for the activities. I agree it was a Sunday, but boy the place was crowded and noisy! It was packed with people gathering over food, loud music and screams at the picnic area. And there was only one food stall in the whole park. We were looking forward to rent a bike so we could ride around but you are actually not allowed and the track is basically a circle around a tree. How many rounds can one do for an hour around a tree! The zipline, boating in a lagoon, wall climbing were nowhere to be found (I assume they closed those activities). And the pool was so crowded it would be impossible to swim in it. As for fishing... Well it's in a small pond full of garbage and I doubt anything can be caught. It's definitely not a park where one can enjoy walking around and relax. There is a small trail in the forest but it's really small and takes not more than 10 minutes to walk around. We were really disappointed because we expected a park with nice activities and it really wasn't so. And definitely not a place to have a relaxing and peaceful day.

What elements are essential to make a paradise?…read more Different people would have different lists, but surely a constant feature would be flowers and trees, available food or meals, and fun activities. La Mesa Ecopark has all those three things together. First, flowers and trees. The Ecopark is a forest garden, meaning it's not a garden planted and arranged by a hired gardener but a garden growing out of a natural forest. The land area is quite vast, accommodating various species of plants and flowers such as Ipil-Ipil, Narra, Waling-Waling, Dancing Lady, Dendrobium, Birds of Paradise, and many other indigenous flowers. Second, you wouldn't go hungry walking around the vast space that is La Mesa Ecopark. No, you don't have to eat the flowers. There are many concessionaires stationed in strategic spots, offering to the hungry visitor foods that are close to the Filipino's heart such as inihaw, halo-halo and ice cream. Lastly, since every person is a child at heart, there must be fun activities. The Ecopark features zip lining, target shooting, paintball, bungee jumping, and trampoline. These activities would surely leave you breathless or shrieking from mixed excitement and fear. So come to Ecopark if you wish to recapture the wonderland of youth!

We took a bus trip from El Nido to the Underground River. The trip there was a little scary because…read morewe had to switch buses in a small area where there was only a bus stop. We weren't sure that we were in the right place. Once we got on the correct bus, we felt better. The bus ride was bumpy with a lot of turns. My son even got car sick. The town where you get the boats to the Underground River was packed with people. We had to wait in line for quite a while to get tickets. The tour included a lunch which was served in an outdoor tent like area. I even saw a rat! It wasn't very good food. The boat ride to the Underground River we really rough that day. Luckily it wasn't a very long ride. The actual tour of the Underground River was fabulous! My pictures speak for themselves.

When in Palawan, the Underground River is a must! I've toured this river in 2009 (without kids) and…read morein 2018 (with a 1- and 3-year-old) and it was effing amazing both times. It starts at a dock by Sambang Beach where you board a motorized (loud) outrigger boat with about 5 other people. Staff hands out hardhats and life vests. My hubs and I were the only folks who brought kids of any age and while they had childrens' life vests, they were too big for my kids. Yet, we made them work while holding adult hardhats on their heads. We were lucky that child protective services weren't watching. It's about a 20-minute ride to this other spot where you walk a little and switch to a simpler paddle boat you share with about 11 other people. Staff gives you an earpiece to listen to a recorded narration while your tour guide tells you more. It's a short and beautiful ride into a underground/cave part of the river. I don't have good pictures inside the cave because it was too dark, but there are lots of beautiful formations thousands of years old that your tour guide will illuminate with a flashlight within an incredibly peaceful ambiance. This part lasts about 45 minutes. My family really enjoyed it and I super recommend it! TIPS: **Wear rugged clothing (or stuff you don't mind getting f*cked) and waterproof/resistant footwear. **Expect to get your crotch wet. You have to wade at certain parts of the tour. **Try to bring a dry bag (brands like Earth Pak, Marchway, etc. which are also sold at stores along the way there) for your personal belongings. **Your tour guide will offer to take your picture with your own camera/phone. It's a good chance for a full family/group photo. **Life is simple around these parts including the toilet. Bring your own toilet paper for rest stops along the way. Hand sanitizer's also a good idea. **Bring cash to tip your boat crews and tour guide.

Kids today are more indoors than ever before. Pollution, crime and the heat are making parents…read morerethink their child rearing ways. Tablets and other gadgets are being freely given to these kids and in turn, they become perfectly content with staying in their rooms all day. Our outdoor culture is already diminishing and what better way to bring it back than to take children to the farm? Holding baby pigs, fishing, riding carabaos, feeding rabbits- these are just some of the things that your kids can experience at the Sta. Elena Fun Farm. I see this place as a quick retreat from the city, a breather from the traffic, buildings and all the asphalt that has enveloped Manila. It doesn't take so long to get there and once you reach the place, you'll fall in love with it. Tips: 1. Take the kids here on a weekend complete with a picnic basket. 2. Entrance is P300 for kids and adults. Any kid below 2 years old is free. 3. Lolos and lolas get discounts too!

My family likes to go on day trips here to have a picnic lunch, rest in the shade for a while, then…read morewhen it's not so hot explore the farm. There's lots of opportunities to interact with animals here: feeding rabbits and hamsters, catching fish, meeting friendly carabaos and pot-beliied pigs, and riding proper sized horses (not like those tiny ponies in Tagaytay). My favorite thing to do here is to climb up a wall as fast as possible (I time each new attempt), scramble back down the other side of the tower on sloping tree trunks, then try out the hurdles. Then when I'm properly exhausted, I relax on a tire swing and watch ducklings waddle past. Points for all the obstacles being constructed from materials sourced right on the property. Outdoor markets are occasionally held here, which are a great place to pick up organic greens and local crafts. Throw in performances from OPM artists when the sun goes down and even a samba troupe, and you get a great summer party. This little pocket of green trees and fresh air is only 40 minutes away from Metro Manila, making it the perfect escape for those who are sick of the concrete jungle and want to stretch their limbs and clear their heads.